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| Hiking | 6.55 Miles |
420 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.55 Miles | 2 Hrs 20 Mns | | 2.81 mph |
| 420 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | First part of my "Daily Double". Drove up to Prescott to knock off a couple of trails that I had never done before. First up, was the Sierra Prieta Trail. I had done the Aspen Trail several years ago so I knew the TH and had a general idea of how the Sierra tied into the Aspen. The first part of the hike (Aspen Trail) is very nice. It's a gradual climb among the pines (and the shade) to get the ridgeline and to where the Sierra Prieta (9415) starts. As stated in an earlier write up, the name of the trail has changed to the Wolverton Trail, though the trail number 9415 is still the same. Went by the gate and took the path to the left to check out the weather station. I also found a way to the top of Wolverton Peak. About .12 miles past the gate be looking to your left for a cairn and a blue ribbon hanging from a pine tree. Follow this path for .1 miles and you have an easy time getting to the top. Someone has actually built a solid bench (including back and arm rest) that overlooks Prescott. This trail also divides near the top and heads down the east side of Wolverton. Not sure if this is a future trail being planned by the forest service or one that has been created by an active hiker, but once you find it, it is easy to follow. I didn't follow it for long though as my goal was 9415. Returning to the gate, I followed 9415 down a very gradual trail that followed the contours of the hill with a few switch backs thrown in. Approximately 1.75 from the Aspen Trail turn off (not including side trails) I came to another signed junction. Trail 9415, the Wolveton, continues to the south and a little to the east. Trail 9415A, named the Quartz Mountain Trail, heads off in a more southwardly direction. From this junction it is only about .4 miles to the top of Quartz Mountain. On the way back, I followed portions of the old Sierra Prieta Trail that I could find. The climbs were a little steeper, but I probably shaved tenths off my mileage. Wildlife was minimal. Some interesting birds and caterpillars with whitish opaque bodies. Very weird. I'm use to the fuzzy caterpillars. Encountered two couples hiking and a lone biker.
Sadly, I don't believe that Sierra Prieta Trail exists as hiked and described by Preston. The forest service has modified the trail quite a bit and renamed the routes. The beginning and the ending is the same but I wonder if Preston would recognize his hike from 2000. |
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Negative- not much in the way of pics. 
Keep in mind much of the AEG is toward the end.
